Error "This file is in use." When Attempting to Open or Refresh a file hosted on OneDrive

Published: 20 Apr 2018Last Modified Date: 23 Apr 2018

Issue

When attempting to connect to a file hosted on OneDrive, the following error occurs:

<file name>This file is in use.Enter a new name or close the files that's open in another program.

Additionally, when attempting to refresh a file hosted on OneDrive, the following error occurs:

Unable to open file: '<file path>': The process cannot access the file because it is being used by another process.

Environment

Tableau Desktop 10.4, 10.5

Excel

Microsoft OneDrive

Resolution

Option 1

Make sure no files from OneDrive are open in Microsoft Excel at the same time Tableau Desktop is opened.

Option 2

Work with your IT team to edit the OneDrive settings to not synchronize the files.

Right-click on the OneDrive name (left pane of Window File Finder) and select Settings.

Navigate to the Office tab.

Deselect "Use Office 2016 to sync Office files that I open" option

Click OK.

Close out of any open Excel files and re-open for changes to take effect.

Cause

The file is opened in Excel at the same time Tableau Desktop is open. OneDrive locks read access for other programs when the "Use Office 2016 to sync Office files that I open" setting is selected and the file is open in Excel.